The ErP Lot6 requirement is a relatively new (2010) system regulation which applies to systems which draw < 1w in off condition (5Vsb, S5).

So I argue that both the Liberty Eco II and the EESxxxAWT-ErP should exhibit the same noise character of their former equivalents, or at least that there's no technical reason for not being so (but as SPCR is shutting down, I think we can't ever have an enough reliable review of them). Looking at the specs, indeed, you may note as Enermax specs a 450rpm fan speed under 50% of rated load (but not the 720W).

Summarizing, as far as I know your mileage may vary: you can look for an older model, if any's still on the shelves, or make a rather reasonable bet upon those new ErP Lot6 PSUs. I can't help more, sorry.

Please take also note that in Italy (and in EU) as an end-user you have a 10-days (minimum) right to refuse any product bought online, and that some e-tailer like Amazon also doesn't charge for shipping. Good luck!

You should have a look at Mike Chin's announcement over here. Mike Chin does want to step down from SPCR and move on to other things, but there's apparently still some hope that the site won't just shut down, so we'll see...

Now, on topic: I've replaced a dying Corsair CX400 by a 400W Enermax Pro80+ (EES400AWT-GP) and I'm quite happy with it. It's definitely less noisy than the CX400 and, in my build, it's always drowned out by other noises: the 3 hard drives (2 of them 7200 rpm drives) in idle, the CPU fans on load (2 Scythe Slipstreams PWM on a Mugen 2, cooling a 3GHz Core 2 Duo E8400). Of course, I don't have the tools to thoroughly test it, and I can't compare it to a super-quiet PSU (I think the CX400 is considered OK, but not great, by others on SPCR) - so I can't give any guaranty about how it will work in an extremely quiet system. But it's effectively silent for my use.

The only real issues I have with the Pro80+ are the cable lengths and the choice of connectors on some of them. The cable length works in my solo (which isn't a huge case), but I can't route all cables exactly how I'd like, so it might be a serious issue in bigger cases. The connectors I don't like are the SATA/Molex: I think there are too many molex connectors and not enough SATA ones, plus I don't like the cables with a mix of molex and SATA connectors. With the CX400, I had all my HDDs powered by a single cable with 3 or 4 SATA connectors; with the Pro80+, I have to use a molex->SATA adapter to plug all my HDDs on the same cable. Of course all that depends on which components you have, so it's only a problem for my personal preferences.

I know it's hard to say, but do you have any thoughts on whether the Pro80+ 620W will be as quiet as the 400W, as it's quite reasonably priced for a 600W+ PSU?

It should be so, as the 620W shares the fan controller and logic with its smaller brothers (only the 720W has a different, more aggressive controller).

But take note that in the hotbox the Enermax 80+ platform doesn't perform very well (as a matter of fact Enermax specs talk about a 25°C ambient), so if your CrossfireX is a pair of unlocked 6950 (so 500W of heat which build up into a case when gaming) it might not be the best candidate. IMVHO one of the very few units which may run enough quietly at those power levels is the Pro87+/Modu87+ Enermax platform (which is expensive), while a reasonable bet could be the Nexus NX-6000 R3 (which is not widely available).

After about four years of service, I retired my 300W Fortron Zen (also because 14A are no more enough on the 12V rail).

So, I've given a try to this ErPro80+ 350W: I'm (more than) a bit disappointed, quietness-wise. Summarizing, its fan is clicky: I have had the unit replaced, but the fan is still clicky. Bad luck? Besides I would like to point out that in EU ErPro 80+ isn't usually so affordable (around 70USD).

Even if it's a well above average unit, currently I consider the Antec EA-380D (fan swapped) a substantially quieter alternative (but it lacks those good 3A on the 5VSB rail, and it's not "ErP6 ready"), for some bucks less (and no more warranty).

EDIT: I've corrected the EU pricing, as I've used a wrong USD/EUR ratio.

After about four years of service, I retired my 300W Fortron Zen (also because 14A are no more enough on the 12V rail).

So, I've given a try to this ErPro80+ 350W: I'm (more than) a bit disappointed, quietness-wise. Summarizing, its fan is clicky: I have had the unit replaced, but the fan is still clicky. Bad luck? Besides I would like to point out that in EU ErPro 80+ isn't usually so affordable (around 90USD).

Even if it's a well above average unit, currently I consider the Antec EA-380D (fan swapped) a substantially quieter alternative (but it lacks those good 3A on the 5VSB rail, and it's not "ErP6 ready"), for some bucks less (and no more warranty).

Weird. My experience of Eco 350W was very similar to SPCR 500W review: A very quiet, quality fan which was barely audible at 400~500RPM during low load on the open test bench.

Maybe current whine/coil noise coming off your MB/VGA or some kind of combination/compatibility problem?? It's the problem I've met several times before. I'd swapped my Seasonic S12 430W due to its very noticeable whine/coil noise when using it with my brand-new ASRock 970 Extreme3. To complicate the matter, I never noticed such a behavior when using S12 430W with my old MSI motherboard. Just for your reference.

Maybe current whine/coil noise coming off your MB/VGA or some kind of combination/compatibility problem?? It's the problem I've met several times before. I'd swapped my Seasonic S12 430W due to its very noticeable whine/coil noise when using it with my brand-new ASRock 970 Extreme3. To complicate the matter, I never noticed such a behavior when using S12 430W with my old MSI motherboard. Just for your reference.

Yes, lots of circumstances may bias the PSU behaviour, even the relevant mounting: I guess that a bottom mounting (currently mine is in a Solo) may change how you can perceive it (on a Solo it can be mount only with the fan facing downwards).

As I said, the ErPro80+ is a not so economical well above average unit, well refined, with a good cable sleeving (but with a weird cable lenght, good only for top mounting IMHO), and however very quiet: but in my scenario it is a bit more noticeable than my Seasonic M12D, while it shouldn't be so.

Yes, lots of circumstances may bias the PSU behaviour, even the relevant mounting: I guess that a bottom mounting (currently mine is in a Solo) may change how you can perceive it (on a Solo it can be mount only with the fan facing downwards).

As I said, the ErPro80+ is a not so economical well above average unit, well refined, with a good cable sleeving (but with a weird cable lenght, good only for top mounting IMHO), and however very quiet: but in my scenario it is a bit more noticeable than my Seasonic M12D, while it shouldn't be so.

Definitely my expectations were just a tad greater, noise-wise.

Before installing it into P182, I've tried to listen to Eco 350W on the open test bench, so bottom mounting should not be an issue given I tested/heard PSU in very close proximity. Sorry, no sound answer for your suffering.

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